Keychron Q1 HE vs V1 HEWhich 75% HE Keyboard Wins?
Choose the Q1 HE for its premium aluminum build and included knob, or the V1 HE if you want the same core magnetic switch performance at a lower price point.
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4.9 (21)4.9 · 21 reviews
from$160at Input Gear
No reviews
from$159at Keychron
Which one should you get?
Get the
Keychron Q1 HE
polling rate
Build quality in the top 5% of 75% boards under $200.
- Full 6063 aluminum body provides a premium, durable, and stable typing platform.
- Double-gasket design with silicone pads reduces acoustic resonance for a quieter sound.
- Includes a rotary knob for quick volume or function control.
- Magnetic switches only. Standard MX switches will not fit.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
Get the
Keychron V1 HE
Build quality in the top 25% of 75% boards under $200.
- Significantly lighter at 1031g, making it a better option for travel.
- Offers core Hall Effect features like 0.01mm sensitivity and adjustable actuation (0.1-3.35mm).
- ABS plastic case is durable and more resistant to dings from travel.
- Magnetic switches only. Standard MX switches will not fit.
- North-facing LEDs. Cherry-profile keycaps can hit the switch housing.
- No ISO layout. ISO-DE, UK, and other ISO variants are not offered.
For most users, the Keychron Q1 HE is the better choice if budget allows, as it offers a superior aluminum build, a knob, and better stabilizers. The V1 HE is a smart pick for those who prioritize a lighter keyboard for travel or want a more cost-effective entry into Hall Effect keyboars without sacrificing the core adjustable actuation and rapid trigger features. Both are excellent options in the 75% HE keyboard space, so your final decision should hinge on the importance of materials and weight.
The differences that matter
Skip the 40-row spec sheet. These are the specs that change how each board feels, sounds, and fits your desk.
Keychron Q1 HE
Keychron V1 HE
Max polling rate
8,000 Hz
1,000 Hz
Higher polling helps competitive FPS and does nothing for typing
Case material
Aluminum
ABS
Switch options
Clicky, Linear, Magnetic, Tactile
Clicky, Linear, Tactile
Mount style
Gasket Mount, PCB Mount
Gasket Mount
Knob
Yes
No
- Keychron Q1 HE
- Keychron V1 HE
- Performance
- 10093
- Build quality
- 9276
- Productivity
- 9790
- Customizability
- 10087
- Portability
- 8183
- Layout size: 75%
- Hall effect (magnetic)
- Rapid trigger
- Connection: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
- Hot-swappable
- Battery: 4,000 mAh
What will you mostly use it for?
The Keychron Q1 HE wins in most use cases, particularly gaming, office, and modding, due to its superior aluminum build quality, included knob, and screw-in stabilizers. The V1 HE only takes the win for travel because it is much lighter. For programming, both are tied since they share the same QMK/VIA programmability, adjustable actuation, and polling performance. The core magnetic switch technology is identical, so the decision often comes down to whether you prioritize a premium chassis or lower weight.
Pick the Keychron Q1 HE
- All-aluminum body provides a more stable and heavier chassis for intense gaming sessions.
- Includes a knob that can be mapped to in-game volume or other controls.
- Screw-in PCB stabilizers offer greater stability for large keys during rapid inputs.
Keychron Q1 HE vs V1 HE specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
14 of 29 specs differ
Keychron Q1 HE
Keychron V1 HE
Switch options
Hall effect (magnetic)
Rapid trigger
Hot-swappable
Mount style
Sound dampening
Screw-in stabilizers
Layout size
Layout standard
Ergonomics
Knob
Display
Media keys
Connection
Max polling rate
Battery
USB-C
Case material
Plate material
Keycaps
Weight
Dimensions
Typing angle
Backlight
QMK
VIA
N-key rollover
Mac & Windows
Released
ISO layouts by store
Which stores sell ISO-DE, UK, and the other regional layouts.
Keychron Q1 HE
Keychron
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic, ISO-SW
In stockShips to you
Input Gear
ISO-DE
Out of stockShips to you
Keychron (DE)
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-FR, ISO-ES, ISO-IT, ISO-SW
In stockDoes not ship to you
Keychron (DE)
ISO-DE, ISO-FR, ISO-ES
In stockDoes not ship to you
Keychron V1 HE
No ISO layout at the stores we track.
Compare prices
Live prices from the stores we track, cheapest in-stock offer first.
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Lowest price across stores, Amazon excluded.
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Keychron Q1 HE vs V1 HE: your questions
The primary difference is the case material. The Q1 HE has a full 6063 aluminum body, making it heavier and more premium, while the V1 HE uses an ABS plastic body that is much lighter. The Q1 HE also includes a rotary knob and screw-in PCB stabilizers, whereas the V1 HE uses plate-mounted stabilizers and does not have a knob.
No, they are not cross-compatible. The Q1 HE is compatible exclusively with Gateron Double-Rail Magnetic Switches. The V1 HE is compatible exclusively with Keychron Ultra-fast Lime Magnetic Switches. Both keyboards only support the magnetic switches sold on the Keychron website.
Both keyboards are excellent for gaming, offering the same 1000 Hz polling rate in wired and 2.4 GHz modes, rapid trigger, and adjustable actuation points (0.2-3.8mm for Q1, 0.1-3.35mm for V1). The Q1 HE has a slight edge due to its more stable aluminum build and screw-in stabilizers, which can feel more solid during intense gameplay.
Yes, both the Keychron Q1 HE and V1 HE support QMK open-source firmware and the Keychron Launcher web app (which is VIA-compatible). This allows you to remap keys, create macros, and adjust actuation points without downloading software. You can use it on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
The V1 HE is significantly more portable. It weighs only 1031g fully assembled compared to the Q1 HE's 1735g. The V1 HE's ABS plastic case is also more resistant to dings from being transported in a bag, making it the clear choice for travel.
Both keyboards have the same 4000mAh rechargeable li-polymer battery. Keychron states that both can last up to 100 hours of wireless use with the backlight turned off. This provides similar battery life for both models.
The Keychron Q1 HE is available with a rotary knob, and it is included in the fully assembled version. The Keychron V1 HE does not have a knob and is only available in a fully assembled configuration without one. This is a key feature differentiator.
The Q1 HE uses screw-in PCB stabilizers, which are more stable and easier to customize or upgrade. The V1 HE uses plate-mounted stabilizers. Enthusiasts typically prefer screw-in stabilizers for their superior feel and reduced wobble on large keys.
Yes, both keyboards include a system toggle switch and an additional set of keycaps for both macOS and Windows. They support saving two different layouts on the keyboard, one for each operating system, making them versatile for multi-platform users.
One user review for the Q1 HE mentions issues with the programmer not working under Arch Linux. Both keyboards use QMK firmware and the web-based Keychron Launcher, which should work on Linux, but compatibility may vary depending on your specific distribution and browser. The V1 HE has no user reviews yet to confirm.
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